2003 Mouton Rothschild
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Tasting notes
Ripeness without any pruny flavours. Dark-cherry fruit, still-firm tannins and the signature fleetness of foot that Margaux is famous for. Outperforms the expectation of the vintage, and seems to be on a good trajectory for further maturation. (RH)
Critic scores
Average Score
Wine Spectator
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The 2003 Mouton Rothschild has a powerful nose with slightly smudged summer fruit, leather, dates, forest floors and a touch of eucalyptus. The palate is medium-bodied and fleshy, with powdery tannins and better acidity than the Clerc Milon. It's quite tertiary, with just a little VA on the roasted coffee bean finish. The question is whether this will go anywhere interesting with further cellaring? Tasted at the château.
A heady, exotic wine, the 2003 Mouton Rothschild takes hold of all the senses. The ripeness and exuberance of the year comes through in spades as this dramatic, opulent wine shows off its radiant personality. The 2003 can be enjoyed now, but it could also use another few years for the tannins to soften. Still, the 2003 is pretty hard to resist today. This is an exceptional, deeply satisfying Mouton endowed with notable richness but also exceptional balance. Hints of toffee, torrefaction and dark spices are laced into the finish. In 2003 the blend is 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, all brought in between a fairly narrow window of ten days between September 15 and 25. (AG)
‘Patrick Leon said about this vintage, “Philippe, I will show you how to make great wine.” So in 2003 I learnt how resistant Cabernet Sauvignon is.’ Pretty simple and sweet and dusty. Tad dull. (JR)
About the producer
Pauillac-based Ch. Mouton Rothschild is one of the five First Growths, producing some of the finest wine in Bordeaux and the world. Known for its flamboyant style, the label for the Grand Vin is designed by a different artist each year.